Larry Marfise Named Southeast Region AD of the Year
DALLAS, Tex. - University of Tampa Athletic Director Larry Marfise has been honored by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) with the Southeast Region AstroTurf AD of the Year Award (ADOY).
There are four geographic regions - northeast, southeast, central and west; while the membership is separated into seven categories - Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A); Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA); Division I (formerly Division I-AAA); Division II; Division III; NAIA; and Junior/Community Colleges. One winner was selected in each of the seven categories, for a total of 29 honorees. Winners will receive their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon at NACDA's 43rd Annual Convention at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Tex.
NACDA Executive Director Mike Cleary explains the ADOY Award is essential because it highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to campuses and their surrounding communities.
"Our Honors and Awards Committee recognized a need for an award such as the AD of the Year," said Cleary, who oversaw implementation of the program to allow all NACDA Officers and Honors and Awards Committee members to participate in the awards process, should they be elected. "The program brings to light the exceptional jobs done by athletics directors across the country. These 29 winners exemplify that, providing us with a group of outstanding athletics directors who excel at their jobs."
In his ninth year as athletics director at The University of Tampa (UT) Marfise has continually placed his school among the top-30 nationally in the NCAA Division II U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup standings. Under Marfise, UT teams have captured five NCAA Division II national championships. Most recently, the Spartan women's soccer team captured their first crown with the 2007 title.
Additionally, UT facility improvements include a new soccer and baseball stadium, a modernized and enlarged weight room, renovated locker rooms and upgrades to the softball and tennis complexes. Marfise has also established four new athletics endowments at UT. Currently, he serves on the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee.
Prior to joining the Spartans, he served as athletics director at Ferris State University (Mich.) (1994-99), associate athletics director at St. Mary's (Calif.) (1985-94), assistant athletics director at Southern Baton Rouge (1985), assistant coach/promotions and tickets administrator at UNLV (1984), administrator at Ohio (1983-84) and wrestling coach/intramural director at Evansville (1979-83).
While at Ferris State, he directed the campaign to build a new gymnasium, a $1 million hockey locker room and renovated the field house. He also served on the NCAA Division II Football Championship Committee and was president of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) where he oversaw expansion. While at St. Mary's, he served on the NCAA Division I Baseball Promotion Committee.
Winners of the 2007-08 AstroTurf AD of the Year Awards
are:
Football Bowl Subdivision
Mike Alden, University of Missouri, Central
Gene Bleymaier, Boise State University, West
Bob Mulcahy, Rutgers University, Northeast
Ron Wellman, Wake Forest University, Southeast
Football Championship Subdivision
Warren "Moose" Koegel, Coastal Carolina University, Southeast
Gene Taylor, North Dakota State University, Central
Gary Walters, Princeton University, Northeast
Bobby Williams, Sam Houston State University, West
Division I
Nelson E. Bobb, University of North Carolina Greensboro,
Southeast
Peg Bradley-Doppes, University of Denver, West
Robert Driscoll, Jr., Providence College, Northeast
Ken Kavanagh, Bradley University, Central
Division II
Theresa A. Check, Central State University, Northeast
Rob Fournier, Wayne State University, Central
Larry Marfise, University of Tampa, Southeast
Joan McDermott, Metropolitan State College of Denver, West
Division III
Lynda Calkins, Hollins University, Southeast
Del Malloy, Salve Regina University, Northeast
Vernon Mummert, Wabash College, Central
John Schael, Washington University, West
NAIA/Other 4-Year Colleges or Universities
Jeff Bain, Martin Methodist College, Southeast
Debby DeAngelis, California State University East Bay, West
Mike Fratzke, Indiana Wesleyan University, Central
H. "Skip" Lord, Houghton College, Northeast
JC/CC
Dave Evans, San Diego Mesa College, West
Carl Heinrich, Johnson County Community College, Central
Robert McKenney, Onondaga Community College, Northeast
Diane Schumacher, Howard Community College, Southeast
International
Greg Harshaw, College of the Bahamas